U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF AIR AND RADIATION
Climate Change Adaptation
Implementation Plan
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Disclaimer
To the extent this document mentions or discusses statutory or regulatory authority, it does so for
informational purposes only. This document does not substitute for those statutes or regulations,
and readers should consult the statutes or regulations to learn what they require. Neither this
document, nor any part of it, is itself a rule or a regulation. Thus, it cannot change or impose
legally binding requirements on EPA, States, the public, or the regulated community. Further, any
expressed intention, suggestion or recommendation does not impose any legally binding
requirements on EPA, States, tribes, the public, or the regulated community. Agency decision
makers remain free to exercise their discretion in choosing to implement the actions described in
this Plan. Such implementation is contingent upon availability of resources and is subject to
change.
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EPA Publication Number: 400B22001
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r-
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460
SEP 12 2022
DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR
Preface
Climate change is threatening communities across the nation. Millions of Americans feel the
destructive effects of climate change each year when the power goes down, rivers and lakes go dry,
homes are destroyed by wildfires and communities are flooded by hurricanes. Underserved
communities are especially vulnerable to the climate crisis and are more likely to experience the
negative health and environmental effects of extreme weather events.
The Biden-Harris Administration is actively confronting the climate crisis while also advancing
environmental justice. As part of a whole-of-government approach, the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency is strongly committed to taking the actions necessary to protect human health and the
environment and to increase the resilience of the entire nation, even as the climate changes.
The EPA's commitment to action is reflected in its FY 2022-2024 Strategic Plan and in the 2021
Climate Adaptation Action Plan. Both documents present priority actions the agency will take to
ensure that its programs, policies and operations remain effective under future climate conditions
while we work to support states, territories, tribes and communities in increasing their own adaptive
capacity and resilience to climate change impacts.
From flooding at Superfund sites, to wildfires causing air pollution, to sea-level rise affecting water
quality and infrastructure, the EPA will boldly address climate impacts in both its programs and the
communities it serves. We recognize the importance of tribal, state and local government partnerships
in efficient, effective and equitable implementation of climate change adaptation strategies. Our plans
were informed and improved by input we received in listening sessions we held to engage these and
other partners as we developed these plans.
To ensure we are addressing the climate crisis in a comprehensive way, each of our national program
and regional offices has developed individual Climate Adaptation Implementation Plans that outline
how the EPA will attain the agencywide goals described in the broader Climate Adaptation Action
Plan. These plans describe how programs and regions will integrate climate adaptation into their
programs, partnerships and operations. They also describe how they will help partners build their
resilience and capacity to adapt, while delivering co-benefits, including curbing greenhouse-gas
emissions and other pollution, and promoting public health, economic growth and climate justice. Of
course, the EPA has a major role to play on emissions reductions as well, though that is not the focus
of these plans. Indeed, we must focus on both climate adaptation and mitigation to ensure our nation
and communities thrive in an era of climate change.
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Internet Address (URL) e http://www.epa.gov
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As part of this effort, we will empower our staff and partners by increasing awareness of how climate change
may affect our collective ability to implement effective and resilient programs. We will also provide them with
the necessary training, tools, data, information and technical support to make informed decisions and integrate
climate adaptation into our work.
The EPA will work to modernize its financial assistance programs to encourage climate-resilient investments
across the nation. We will also focus on ensuring that investments funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,
the Inflation Reduction Act and other government programs are resilient to the impacts of climate change.
Finally, as our knowledge advances and as impacts continue to develop, our response will likewise evolve. We
will work to share these developments to enhance the collective resilience of our nation.
The actions outlined in these implementation plans reflect the EPA's commitment to build every community's
capacity to anticipate, prepare for, adapt to and recover from the increasingly destructive impacts of climate
change. Together with our partners, we will work to create a healthy and prosperous nation that is resilient to the
ever-increasing impacts of climate change — which is vital to the EPA's goal of protecting human health and
the environment and to ensuring the long-term success of our nation.
Janet G. McCabe
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Table of Contents
Disclaimer 2
Preface 3
I. Background 7
II. Programmatic Vulnerability Assessment 8
Introduction 8
Vulnerabilities of OAR Programs to Climate Change Impacts 8
Conclusion 16
OAR Programmatic Vulnerability Summary Table 17
III. Priority Actions 19
Introduction 19
OAR Priority Actions 20
Partnerships with Tribes 23
Vulnerable Populations and Places 25
Conclusion 26
OAR Priority Actions Summary Table 27
IV. Climate Adaptation Training Plan for Enhancing Staff Knowledge 34
Introduction 34
Training Plan and Timeline 34
Measurements and Progress 34
V. Climate Science Needs 36
Introduction 36
Office of Atmospheric Programs 36
Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards 38
Office of Transportation and Air Quality 39
Office of Radiation and Indoor Air 40
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OAR Climate Adaptation Workgroup
Lauren E. Gentile (Chair; Office of Atmospheric Programs)
David Schmeltz (Office of Atmospheric Programs)
Robert Landolfi (Office of Atmospheric Programs)
Victoria Ludwig (Office of Atmospheric Programs)
Caitlin Gould (Office of Atmospheric Programs)
Benjamin Gibson (Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards)
Carrie Wheeler (Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards)
Kimber Scavo (Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards)
Michael Moltzen (Office of Transportation and Air Quality)
Andrea Maguire (Office of Transportation and Air Quality)
Daniel Malashock (Office of Radiation and Indoor Air)
Laura Kolb (Office of Radiation and Indoor Air)
Marc Vincent (Office of Program Management Operations)
Michael Wolfe (Office of Program Management Operations)
Grant Peacock (Office of Program Management Operations)
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I. Background
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is committed to identifying and responding to
the challenges that a changing climate poses to human health and the environment. Executive
Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, issued in January 2021, directed
all federal agencies to integrate climate adaptation planning into their missions, programs, and
management functions to ensure their success in enhancing preparedness for and resilience to
the climate crisis. In response, the EPA drafted an agency-wide Climate Adaptation Action Plan
in October 2021. This agency-wide plan recognizes that climate change poses important
challenges to EPA's ability to fulfill its mission. It included a Policy Statement on Climate Change
Adaptation, which directs every Program and Regional Office within the EPA to update and/or
develop a Climate Adaptation Implementation Plan ("Implementation Plan") to:
1. Integrate climate adaptation planning into EPA programs, policies, and rulemaking
processes.
2. Consult and partner with states, tribes, territories, local governments, environmental justice
organizations, community groups, businesses, and other federal agencies to strengthen
adaptive capacity and increase the resilience of the nation, with a particular focus on
advancing environmental justice.
3. Implement measures to protect the agency's workforce, facilities, critical infrastructure,
supply chains and procurement processes from the risks posed by climate change.
4. Modernize EPA financial assistance programs to encourage climate-resilient investments
across the nation.
The information set forth in this document serves as the Climate Change Adaptation
Implementation for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation (OAR).1
In light of changing conditions, the EPA Climate Adaptation Action Plan also discusses the
potential Agency vulnerabilities caused by climate change. In particular, and as described in the
Agency-wide plan, the Agency's personnel safety, facilities, and communications can be
adversely affected by increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events. All EPA
offices and regions, including OAR, share in these vulnerabilities and the broad impact they could
have on mission, facilities, and regular operations. OAR will continue to work with and follow
guidance from the Office of Mission Support as the Agency takes steps to protect the safety and
operational capability of all EPA employees and facilities.
Elizabeth Shaw, Deputy Assistant Administrator for OAR, is designated as OAR's Senior Career
Leader on Climate Adaptation and is responsible for overseeing the climate adaptation activities
in OAR and working with OAR programs and partners to develop and carry out the activities
described in this Implementation Plan.
1 Recently, the Inflation Reduction Act was passed and represents the most significant climate legislation in U.S. history. As the
EPA is in the very initial stages of implementing the Inflation Reduction Act, this Implementation Plan does not address any
activities under this newly passed Act. The Agency will communicate further information about that separately and in future
updates ofthis Implementation Plan.
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II. Programmatic Vulnerability Assessment
Introduction
The OAR Programmatic Vulnerability Assessment builds on the work presented in the
Climate Adaptation Action Plan and OAR's 2014 Climate Adaptation Implementation Plan. OAR's
contribution to this 2022 Climate Adaptation Implementation Plan is based on goals in EPA's FY
2022-2026 Strategic Plan including Goal 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis, Goal 2: Take Decisive
Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights, Goal 3: Enforce Environmental Laws
and Ensure Compliance, and Goal 4: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities. OAR
primarily relied on the 2021 Sixth Assessment Report to the International Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC), the 2018 Fourth National Climate Assessment (NCA4), assessment reports from
the National Academies of Science, and select peer-reviewed publications to identify new and
update existing OAR program vulnerabilities. The brief summaries below also identify where
limitations in the current science exist. As the science continues to grow and evolve in key areas,
OAR will evaluate and update its vulnerabilities as needed. A summary table at the end of this
section provides an overview of the programmatic vulnerabilities identified in the narrative.
To be responsive to a changing climate and effectively implement its programs, OAR supports
Goal 2 of EPA's FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, which focuses on taking action to advance
environmental justice. This Office is committed to advancing our understanding of how
overburdened and underserved communities and individuals are particularly vulnerable to climate
change impacts including low-income communities, communities of color, children, the elderly,
Tribes, and Indigenous people. Tribes are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change
due to the integral nature of the environment within their traditional lifeways and culture. Also
important will be understanding how these impacts will be magnified in communities already
facing ongoing environmental justice issues.
To fulfill its mission, OAR must consider climate change impacts and vulnerabilities in the regular
course of work, all while meeting its goals and building more resilient and climate-responsive
programs. This vulnerability assessment focuses on evaluating how climate change may affect
OAR mission and programs, using the best available science. The extent of impacts will vary
depending on the adaptive capacity of OAR's programs. This is an evaluation of program
vulnerabilities rather than an assessment of all potential impacts of climate change. Therefore, it
does not include discussion of all impacts whether negative or potentially positive. The listed
vulnerabilities will likely have a greater impact on communities confronting historic and ongoing
environmental and social injustices. Pre-existing inequities may be exacerbated if disadvantaged
populations have fewer resources to adapt. This dynamic will make EPA's efforts to address these
inequities through environmental justice initiatives even more challenging.
Vulnerabilities of OAR Programs to Climate Change Impacts
Tropospheric ozone pollution is likely to increase in certain regions due to the effects of
climate change. The relationship between temperature changes and formation of tropospheric
ozone formation, also known as surface ozone, is well understood. With climate change, higher
temperatures and weaker air circulation in the United States will lead to more ozone formation
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even with the same level of emissions of ozone-forming chemicals.2 Urban areas experience air
temperatures that can be several degrees warmer than surrounding areas, especially during the
night. This "urban heat island" effect results from several factors, including reduced ventilation
and heat trapping due to the close proximity of tall buildings, heat generated directly from human
activities, the heat-absorbing properties of concrete and other urban building materials, and the
limited amount of vegetation. Continuing urbanization and increasingly severe heat waves under
climate change will further amplify this effect on tropospheric ozone concentrations in the future.3
Climate change may contribute to lengthening the ozone season4 (the months of the year when
weather conditions, along with pollutants in the air, can result in the formation of elevated levels
of ground-level ozone in particular locations around the country). The effects of increased
temperatures, a longer ozone season, and higher ozone levels in some areas are leading to
increased impacts on residents, particularly on individuals with higher sensitivity to air pollution,
and on disadvantaged community members with other risk factors, fewer resources to adapt,
and/or higher energy burdens, potentially exacerbating situations of environmental injustice. In
addition, these climate effects on ozone levels can result in more areas across the country being
at risk of violating the ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
Increases in tropospheric ozone concentrations due to climate change would increase the public
health burden from air pollution. The potential impacts on public health include more respiratory
illnesses and increased risk of premature deaths.5 This is a particular concern for sensitive
subpopulations which are at greater risk for health effects from exposure to ozone. Recent studies
also suggest the risk of mortality increases at higher ozone concentrations and higher
temperatures (i.e., a synergistic effect).6 Furthermore, potential increases in tropospheric ozone
due to climate change would lead to more pollution controls being required to attain or maintain
ozone NAAQS than would be necessary under the present-day climate.
There are uncertainties associated with the precise timing and location of expected climate
impacts on tropospheric ozone. While there is a consensus that ozone air quality levels will
increase in some locations—in the absence of additional reductions in ozone precursor
emissions—different regional climate models provide varying estimates of the change in ozone
from a changing climate by region. Ongoing changes in emissions levels (expected to decline
over the next decade) and the significant year-to-year variability in ozone levels we already see
from natural variability in weather patterns are additional complicating factors. The state-of-the-
science continues to evolve and will serve to inform specific measures to counteract this
2 Nolte, C.G., Dolwick, P.D., Fann, N., Horowitz, L.W., Naik, V., Pinder, R.W., Spero, T.L., Winner, D.A., &
Ziska, L.H. (2018). Ch. 13: Air quality. In Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States: Fourth National Climate
Assessment, Volume II [Reidmiller, D.R., Avery, C.W., Easterling, D.R., Kunkel, K.E., Lewis, K.L.M., Maycock, T.K.,
& Stewart, B.C. (eds.)]. U.S. Global Change Research Program, Washington, DC, 512-538. DOI: 10.7930/NCA4.2018.CH13
3 Doblas-Reyes, F.J., Sorensson, A.A., Almazroui, M., Dosio, A., Gutowski, W.J., Haarsma, R., Hamdi, R., Hewitson, B., Kwon,
W.-T., Lamptey, B.L., Maraun, D., Stephenson, T.S., Takayabu, I., Terray, L.., Turner, A., &Zuo, Z. (2021). Ch. 10: Linking
global to regional climate change. In Climate Change: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth
Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Masson-Delmotte, V., Zhai, P., Pirani, A., Connors, C.
Pean, S.L., Berger, S., Caud, N., Chen, Y., Goldfarb, L., Gomis, M.I., Huang, M., Leitzell, K., Lonnoy, E., Matthews, J.B.R.,
Maycock, T.K., Waterfield, T., Yelekgi, O., Yu, R., &Zhou, B. (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom
and New York, NY, USA, 1363-1512. D0l:10.1017/9781009157896.012.
4 Zhang, Y. & Wang, Y. (2016). Climate-driven surface ozone extreme in the fall. Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences, 113(36), 10025-10030. DOI: 10.1073/pnas. 1602563113.
5 Fann, N., Brennan, T., Dolwick, P., Gamble, J.L., llacqua, V., Kolb, L., Nolte, C.G., Spero, T.L., & Ziska, L. (2016). Ch. 3: Air
quality impacts. In The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment. U.S. Global
Change Research Program, Washington, DC, 69-98. http://dx.doi.org/10.7930/J0GQ
6 U.S. EPA (2020). Integrated science assessment (ISA) for ozone and related photochemical oxidants. U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-20/012, sec. 6.1.5.4, 6-12.
https://cfpub.epa. gov/ncea/isa/recordisplay.cfm?deid=348522.
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vulnerability. EPA will continue to evaluate and improve our regional climate tools to allow for
more refined estimates of ozone impacts for specific climate scenarios. Additionally, EPA will
continue to monitor and assess trends of ozone air quality. To the extent that it becomes apparent
that a changing climate is impeding or will impede attainment of national air quality goals and
depending on the specific circumstances, Clean Air Act provisions may require identification of
additional control measures at both the State and national levels.
Changes in the frequency and intensity of wildfires, caused by climate change, are
affecting particulate matter (PM) levels. With record-breaking wildfire seasons in North America
in recent years, there is evidence indicating that climate change is affecting PM levels through
changes in the frequency and intensity of wildfires.7 The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC) has reported with very high confidence that in North America, disturbances such
as wildfires are increasing and are likely to intensify in a warmer future with drier soils and longer
growing seasons.8 Forest fires are increasing in frequency, severity, distribution and duration in
the Southeast, the Intermountain West and the West Coast due to climate change. Wildfire smoke
can affect air quality and visibility in other areas of the country depending on wind patterns. PM
emissions will also be affected by changes in the production of wind-blown dust due to changes
in soil moisture.9 There are technical challenges associated with assessing the specific impacts
that climate change will have on PM concentrations. As an example, it is particularly difficult to
accurately determine how precipitation and wildfire patterns will evolve in a changing climate.
These second-order climate effects have the potential to significantly impact future aerosol air
quality. Coupled climate and air quality modeling systems can show significant variation of future
impacts on particulate matter by season and by region. As with ozone, this uncertainty will need
to be taken into account.
The observed increase in PM resulting from wildfires is also increasing the public health burden
in affected areas, which may include sensitive subpopulations at risk for increased health effects
from being exposed to PM pollution. Additional situations of environmental injustice may also be
exacerbated by PM from wildfires, for example in communities already disproportionately affected
by PM from diesel engines or agricultural burning. This potential increase may also complicate
state efforts to attain the PM NAAQS and address regional transport of air pollution. Other public
health effects that may result from increased exposure to wildfires, and that are of concern to
OAR, include those that are physiological, socioeconomic, and psychological in nature. For
instance, there are demonstrated linkages to worse mental health due to chronic stress or post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Again, this may affect lower-income individuals to a greater
extent if they are unable to afford and/or access the care necessary to address these conditions.
7 M.P., Reidmiller, D.R., Avery, C.W., Crimmins, A., Dahlman, L., Easterling, D.R., Gaal, R., Greenhalgh, E., Herring, D., Kunkel,
K.E., Lindsey, R., Maycock, T.K., Molar, R., Stewart, B.C., & Vose, R.S. (2018): Frequently asked questions. In Impacts, Risks,
and Adaptation in the United States: Fourth National Climate Assessment, Volume II [Reidmiller, D.R., Avery, C.W., Easterling,
D.R., Kunkel, K.E., Lewis, K.L.M., Maycock, T.K., & Stewart, B.C. (eds.)]. U.S. Global Change Research Program, Washington,
DC, 1508, Figure A5.31. doi: 10.7930/NCA4.2018.AP5.
8 Seneviratne, S.I., Zhang, X., Adnan, M., Badi, W., Dereczynski, C., Di Luca, A., Ghosh, S., Iskandar, I., Kossin, J., Lewis,
S., Otto, F., Pinto, I., Satoh, M., Vicente-Serrano, S.M., Wehner, M., &Zhou, B. (2021). Ch. 11: Weather and climate extreme
events in a changing climate. In Climate Change: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth
Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Masson-Delmotte, V., Zhai, P., Pirani, A., Connors,
S.L., Pean, C., Berger, S., Caud, N., Chen, Y., Goldfarb, L., Gomis, M.I., Huang, M., Leitzell, K., Lonnoy, E., Matthews, J.B.R.,
Maycock, T.K., Waterfield, T., Yelekgi, O., Yu, R., & Zhou, B. (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom and New
York, USA, 1513-1766. D0l:10.1017/9781009157896.013.
9 Nolte, C.G., Dolwick, P.D., Fann, N., Horowitz, L.W., Naik, V., Pinder, R.W., Spero, T.L., Winner, D.A., &
Ziska, L.H. (2018). Ch. 13: Air quality. In Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States: Fourth National Climate
Assessment, Volume II [Reidmiller, D.R., Avery, C.W., Easterling, D.R., Kunkel, K.E., Lewis, K.L.M., Maycock, T.K.,
& Stewart, B.C. (eds.)]. U.S. Global Change Research Program, Washington, DC, 512-538. DOI: 10.7930/NCA4.2018.CH13
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Likewise, other physiological health effects that result from exposure to wildfires and resultant PM
can include low birth weights or pre-term births, which may have lifelong consequences for the
overall health of the child.
Climate change may worsen the quality of indoor air. Climate change may worsen existing
indoor environmental problems and indoor air quality (IAQ), and it may also introduce new
problems as the frequency or severity of adverse outdoor conditions change.10'11 Ambient air
pollution worsened by climate change, including greater levels of fine particulate matter from more
frequent or intense wildfires and increased ambient concentrations of tropospheric ozone and
aeroallergens, may contribute to reduced indoor air quality by infiltrating into buildings from the
outdoors.12 In some regions, climate change may decrease air exchange rates through infiltration
and consequently reduce the amount of outdoor air pollution infiltrating indoors. This may lead to
higher concentrations of pollutants generated indoors as their dilution by outdoor air is decreased.
However, in warmer climates, infiltration rates may increase during summer months, contributing
to greater indoor air pollution levels at peak periods of exposure.13 Consumer adoption of indoor
air pollution prevention and mitigation strategies, including source control, ventilation, the use of
filters in mechanical ventilation systems and portable air cleaners, and weatherization practices
in tandem with other IAQ strategies, are effective means of reducing indoor air pollutant
concentrations and exposure. Future changes in occupant behavior, including time spent indoors
and the adoption of indoor air pollution prevention and mitigation strategies, is uncertain. EPA will
continue to promote effective IAQ strategies. This may require increased engagement across
public and private sectors to understand factors affecting consumer adoption of IAQ strategies
and promote increased adoption.
Climate-driven changes in indoor temperature and humidity may also worsen IAQ. High
temperature and humidity levels can increase concentrations of some indoor pollutants. Changes
in temperature and humidity can affect chemical reaction rates occurring within the air and on
surfaces indoors, which contribute to the generation of secondary aerosols. Temperature and
humidity indoors also determine the emission rate of certain chemicals from consumer products
and building materials, such as volatile organic compounds. Due to climate change, extreme heat
and cold events are expected to become more frequent and intense. Extreme heat events
contribute to reduced air quality, via temperature- and humidity-driven changes in indoor air
chemistry, and ventilation. During an extreme cold event, air pollution accumulates indoors due
to reduced ventilation and air exchange. EPA will continue to promote, foster, and communicate
research that explores the consequences of climate change on indoor air chemistry, and the
significance of these changes for indoor air quality and public health.
Increases in the occurrence and severity of extreme precipitation, hurricanes, and storms, as well
as their related flooding, may contribute to increases in indoor dampness and building
deterioration. Increased susceptibility of the built environment, due to a breakdown of the
10 Institute of Medicine (2011). Climate change, the indoor environment, and health. The National Academies Press,
Washington, DC. https://doi.org/10.17226/13115.
11 Fann, N., Brennan, T., Dolwick, P., Gamble, J.L., llacqua, V., Kolb, L., Nolte, C.G., Spero, T.L., & Ziska, L. (2016). Ch. 3: Air
quality impacts. In The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment. U.S. Global
Change Research Program, Washington, DC, 69-98. http://dx.doi.org/10.7930/J0GQ
12 Fann, N., Brennan, T., Dolwick, P., Gamble, J.L., llacqua, V., Kolb, L., Nolte, C.G., Spero, T.L., & Ziska, L. (2016). Ch. 3: Air
quality impacts. In The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment. U.S. Global
Change Research Program, Washington, DC, 69-98. http://dx.doi.org/10.7930/J0GQ
13 llacqua V., Dawson J., Breen M., SingerS., & Berg A (2017). Effects of climate change on residential infiltration and air
pollution exposure. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol, 27(1), 16-23. DOI: 10.1038/jes.2015.38.
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protective building envelope, and indoor dampness, in turn may increase occupants' exposure to
harmful biological contaminants (e.g., mold, bacteria, dust mites, viruses), chemical emissions
from building materials, as well as outdoor environmental pollutants that have infiltrated
indoors.14'15'16 Warmer average temperatures may also affect the emergence, evolution and
geographic ranges of pests, infectious agents, and disease vectors. This may also lead to shifting
patterns of indoor exposure to pesticides as occupants and building owners respond to new
infestations. Increased stress on the building envelope from temperature shifts and more extreme
weather events may decrease the capability of homes and buildings to protect occupants from
shifts in the numbers or types of organisms in a given area. In addition, increased outdoor
temperatures and extreme weather may lead rodents and other pests into the indoor environment,
leading to potential increases in pesticide use. Exposures to pests, other biological pollutants, and
pesticides used to respond to infestations, can contribute to illness and disease, including allergy
and asthma exacerbation.17 This may require increased engagement across public and private
sectors to promote IAQ strategies and building resilience to reduce exposure to biological
contaminants and pests. More research on the relationships between climate change and
exposure to biological contaminants and pest infestation is needed. EPA may need to increase
its intra- and inter-agency interactions, to update its guidance and messaging regarding
prevention and adaptation strategies by occupants, as well as to ensure climate projections are
accounted for in comprehensive allergy and asthma intervention programs.
Extreme weather and temperature events also correspond to a greater probability of electricity
and infrastructure failures, which in turn affect the use of air conditioning and filtration systems
that can mitigate IAQ issues.18 Power outages lead to more frequent use of portable generators.
Carbon monoxide poisoning from improper use of portable generators results in hundreds of
deaths and thousands of illnesses each year. EPA will continue to develop guidance for
communities on protecting IAQ before, during, and following climate-driven extreme disasters and
emergencies, including safeguarding the health of building occupants from carbon monoxide
following power outages. Furthermore, in homes where increased wood burning for residential
heating is occurring—which may result from power disruptions, uncertain fuel prices, and potential
increased use of wood as a renewable fuel19 20 21—exposure to indoor PM and air toxics could be
14 Institute of Medicine (2011). Climate change, the indoor environment, and health. The National Academies Press,
Washington, DC. https://doi.org/10.17226/13115.
15 Institute of Medicine (2004). Damp indoor spaces and health. The National Academies Press, Washington, DC, 370.
https://doi.Org/10.17226/11011.
16 Johanning, E., Auger P., Morey P.R., Yang, C.S., & Olmsted, E. (2014). Review of health hazards and prevention measures
for response and recovery workers and volunteers after natural disasters, flooding, and water damage: Mold and dampness.
Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 19, 93-99. DOI:10.1007/s12199-013-0368-0.
17 Institute of Medicine (2011). Climate change, the indoor environment, and health. The National Academies Press,
Washington, DC. https://doi.org/10.17226/13115.
18 Fann, N., Brennan, T., Dolwick, P., Gamble, J.L., llacqua, V., Kolb, L., Nolte, C.G., Spero, T.L., & Ziska, L. (2016). Ch. 3: Air
Quality Impacts. In The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment. U.S. Global
Change Research Program, Washington, DC, 69-98. http://dx.doi.org/10.7930/J0GQ
19 Hayhoe, K., Wuebbles, D.J., Easterling, D.R., Fahey, D.W., Doherty, S., Kossin, J., Sweet, W., Vose, R., & Wehner, M.
(2018). Ch. 2: Our changing climate. In Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States: Fourth National Climate
Assessment, Volume II [Reidmiller, D.R., Avery, C.W., Easterling, D.R., Kunkel, K.E., Lewis, K.L.M., Maycock, T.K., & Stewart,
B.C. (eds.)]. U.S. Global Change Research Program, Washington, DC, 72-144. DOI: 10.7930/NCA4.2018.CH2.
20 Gowda, P., Steiner, J.L., Olson, C., Boggess, M., Farrigan, T., & Grusak, M.A. (2018). Ch. 10: Agriculture and rural
communities. In Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States: Fourth National Climate Assessment, Volume II
[Reidmiller, D.R., Avery, C.W., Easterling, D.R., Kunkel, K.E., Lewis, K.L.M., Maycock, T.K., & Stewart, B.C. (eds.)]. U.S. Global
Change Research Program, Washington, DC, 391-437. DOI: 10.7930/NCA4.2018.CH10.
21 M.P., Reidmiller, D.R., Avery, C.W., Crimmins, A., Dahlman, L., Easterling, D.R., Gaal, R., Greenhalgh, E., Herring, D.,
Kunkel, K.E., Lindsey, R., Maycock, T.K., Molar, R., Stewart, B.C., & Vose, R.S. (2018): Frequently asked questions. In Impacts,
Risks, and Adaptation in the United States: Fourth National Climate Assessment, Volume II [Reidmiller, D.R., Avery, C.W.,
12
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increased. With increased storms and flooding, the availability of biomass fuels for cooking in
developing nations may be affected. More research is required to better understand the influence
that climate change has on the availability of biomass fuels and cooking behaviors in low- income
countries.
Individuals may adapt or weatherize buildings to improve their resilience and reduce energy
consumption and the use of fossil fuels in a changing climate. Such efforts, without appropriate
strategies to ensure proper building modifications, could lead to a reduction in ventilation and an
increase in indoor environmental pollutants unless measures are taken to preserve or improve
IAQ. With respect to weatherization-related increases in radon and its decay products, EPA may
need to update its voluntary guidance or increase its work with other federal and industry partners
to ensure that weatherization of new and existing homes and buildings is carried out with radon-
resistant features or modified to ensure that effective radon-mitigation systems are in place. EPA
has developed practical guidance for improving or maintaining indoor environmental quality during
home energy upgrades or remodeling in single-family homes and schools. EPA's guidance and
protocols may need to be revised to consider state and local climate change projections. In
addition, these programs may need to increase partnerships with other Federal agencies to
address training needs and workforce development for building owners, managers, and others,
as well as develop mechanisms to assess the effectiveness of weatherization and remodeling
techniques as they relate to indoor environmental quality.
Increases in air pollution exposure indoors due to climate change may increase the public health
burden from air pollution. More research is needed to understand the potential impacts on public
health of worsened IAQ from climate change, including on respiratory illnesses and increased risk
of premature deaths. Uncertainties remain regarding the relationship between outdoor-indoor
atmospheric chemistry, changes in the composition of indoor air pollution under a changing
climate, and associated changes in exposure and risk of health impacts. Moreover, information is
needed on how climate-driven changes in IAQ may affect certain populations that are inherently
more vulnerable to weather and climate impacts, such as overburdened communities that already
have a disproportionate share of pollution burdens.
Climate change is contributing to the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires and
extreme weather events and may affect the Agency's capacity to reliably monitor, assess,
and implement certain Agency programs. As the climate changes, rising temperatures,
persistent annual decreases in snowpack, increased drought, and changes in land use, have led
to greater and more severe wildfire activity, especially in the western U.S. Climate change has
also led to record breaking temperature extremes and heavy precipitation events, and the
increased frequency of regional droughts, flooding, and heat waves. In the coming years, heavier
precipitation, stronger hurricanes, and an increase in conditions favorable to severe
thunderstorms are anticipated.22
Easterling, D.R., Kunkel, K.E., Lewis, K.L.M., Maycock, T.K., & Stewart, B.C. (eds.)]. U.S. Global Change Research Program,
Washington, DC, 1493, Figure A5.24. DOI: 10.7930/NCA4.2018.AP5.
22 Seneviratne, S.I., Zhang, X., Adnan, M., Badi, W., Dereczynski, C., Di Luca, A., Ghosh, S., Iskandar, I., Kossin, J., Lewis,
S., Otto, F., Pinto, I., Satoh, M., Vicente-Serrano, S.M., Wehner, M., &Zhou, B. (2021). Ch. 11: Weather and climate extreme
events in a changing climate. In Climate Change: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth
Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Masson-Delmotte, V., Zhai, P., Pirani, A., Connors,
S.L., Pean, C., Berger, S., Caud, N., Chen, Y., Goldfarb, L., Gomis, M.I., Huang, M., Leitzell, K., Lonnoy, E., Matthews, J.B.R.,
Maycock, T.K., Waterfield, T., Yelekgi, O., Yu, R., & Zhou, B. (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom
and New York, NY, USA, 1513-1766. D0l:10.1017/9781009157896.013.
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Future climate change and extreme weather events increasingly pose a risk to our nation's
energy and transportation systems, threatening more frequent and longer-lasting power outages,
fuel shortages, service disruptions, and infrastructure damage, with cascading impacts on other
critical sectors.23
Specific potential vulnerabilities related to an increase in the frequency and severity of wildfires
and extreme weather events may include:
• The increasing frequency of wildfires and extreme weather events, including severe winds
and lightning, could damage EPA's long-term environmental monitoring assets, particularly
in the western U.S. and coastal areas, respectively. The Agency has already experienced
such damage to equipment at sites in the Clean Air Status and Trends Network
(CASTNET) and the National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP). Damage to
monitoring equipment could impact the agency's ability to accurately characterize
situations of environmental injustice, among other priorities.
• More frequent and intense weather events could impact OAR's disaster response planning
efforts, requiring consideration of more frequent events and more complex responses.
• The prospect of future power outages could lead to increased use and sales of wood
burning appliances, resulting in more high PM pollution days in some areas.
• Extreme weather events could damage infrastructure funded through OAR programs and
may reduce the effectiveness of OAR's partnership programs to reduce air pollution from
mobile sources, including in overburdened communities such as those near ports and
roadways.
Climate change may alter the effects and priorities of EPA's regulatory and partnership
programs to help restore the stratospheric ozone layer. The interactions between the
changing climate and stratospheric ozone layer are complex. Climate change affects the ozone
layer through changes in chemical transport, atmospheric composition, and temperature. In turn,
changes in stratospheric ozone can have implications for the weather and climate of the
troposphere. Stratospheric ozone depletion and increases in global tropospheric ozone that have
occurred in recent decades have made differing contributions to climate change. Additionally,
climate change may exacerbate the health effects of ozone layer damage at some latitudes and
mitigate them at others.24 Ozone depletion and climate change are also linked because both
ozone depleting substances and their principal substitutes are significant greenhouse gases.
While the science continues to evolve, potential climate change impacts are included in the
planning and implementation of the Agency's programs to protect stratospheric ozone.
Specific potential vulnerabilities of EPA stratospheric ozone programs to climate change include:
• Different ozone depleting substances (ODS) have different atmospheric lifetimes and
patterns of transport in the atmosphere. If climate change increases the heterogeneity of
23 USGCRP (2017): Summary findings. In Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States: Fourth National Climate
Assessment, Volume II [Reidmiller, D.R., Avery, C.W., Easterling, D.R., Kunkel, K.E., Lewis, K.L.M., Maycock, T.K., & Stewart,
B.C. (eds.)]. U.S. Global Change Research Program, Washington, DC, 34.
https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/downloads/NCA4_Ch01_Summary-Findings.pdf
24 World Meteorological Organization (2018). Scientific assessment of ozone depletion. Global Ozone Research
and Monitoring Project. Geneva, Switzerland, Report No. 58, 588. https://ozone.unep.org/sites/default/files/2019-
05/SAP-2018-Assessment-report.pdf.
14
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processes that influence ozone destruction and production, increased regional disparities
may need to be taken into account when implementing programmatic priorities.
• Climate change may lead to increased use of cooling devices in commercial, residential,
and transportation applications as well as increased use of insulation foams containing
ODS or their substitutes. Such a shift in demand might impact how EPA plans and operates
its programs concerned with the ODS that are used to produce and operate these devices
and materials. A shift in demand for ODS may also increase imports of ODS, which could
affect EPA's oversight of such imports.
• EPA's Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program evaluates and regulates
substitutes for ODS, seeking a constantly improving suite of chemicals for protection of the
environment. Evaluation of substitutes can depend on factors influenced by climate
change, for example the effectiveness of various refrigerants varying with ambient
temperature. A changing climate may influence priority setting and operation of SNAP in
relation to the suitability of substitutes.
The combined effects of climate change and multi-pollutant deposition loadings and ozone
concentrations could have consequences for ecosystem services and the effectiveness of
ecosystem protection from Agency emissions reduction programs. Scientific understanding
related to ways that climate change interacts with sulfur, nitrogen, and mercury deposition, the
global carbon cycle, and impacts to ecosystems is growing. Climate warming and changes in
precipitation can affect the spatial distribution of atmospheric deposition, the relative contributions
of wet and dry deposition, biogeochemical cycling processes, and ecosystem responses to
pollutant exposures. This has implications for key environmental concerns, such as acidification,
eutrophication, and contaminant bioaccumulation. 2526 Consistent, long-term monitoring is
important for assessing the long-term effects of climate change on air quality, atmospheric
deposition, and effects on ecosystems.
EPA's Acid Rain Program under Title IV of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 was specifically
designed to protect sensitive ecosystems from acidic deposition. For more than three decades,
this program and the agency power sector emissions reduction programs which followed have
dramatically reduced SO2 and NOx emissions across the country, most notably in the Eastern
U.S. where the largest sources reside. These reductions have led to significant improvements to
air quality, declines in acidic deposition, and improvements in the health of aquatic ecosystems
in New England, the Adirondacks, and the Catskills mountains.27 However, as the climate
changes, it is unclear whether improvements in ecosystem health will continue as emissions
decline or whether ecosystem recovery will stop or reverse. For example, Greaver et al. (2016)
notes that increased temperature and precipitation generally will be likely to enhance inputs of
buffering agents from weathering and deposition, but also increase inputs of acidifying agents
25 USGCRP (2017): Climate Science Special Report: Fourth National Climate Assessment, Volume I [Wuebbles, D.J., D.W.
Fahey, K.A. Hibbard, D.J. Dokken, B.C. Stewart, and T.K. Maycock (eds.)]. U.S. Global Change Research Program,
Washington, DC, 470. DOI: 10.7930/J0J964J6.
26IPCC (2019). IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate [Portner, H.-O., Roberts, D.C.,
Masson-Delmotte, V., Zhai, P., Tignor, M., Poloczanska, E., Mintenbeck, K., Alegria, A., Nicolai, M., Okem, A., Petzold, J.,
Rama, B., & Weyer, N.M. (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA, 755.
https://doi.Org/10.1017/9781009157964.
27 LaCount, M.D., Haeuber, R.A., Macy, T.R., & Murray, B.A. (2021). Reducing power sector emissions under the 1990 Clean
Air Act Amendments: A retrospective on 30 years of program development and implementation. Atmospheric Environment, 245,
118012. https://doi.Org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2020.118012.
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from deposition and enhanced nitrogen cycling.28 Also, increased temperature and droughts may
lead surface waters to increase eutrophication impacts, particularly, for waterbodies recovering
from acidification. How these opposing processes will respond to a change in climate remains
uncertain.
EPA's recent regulations continue to reduce NOx emissions, an important precursor to ground
level ozone, and help protect forest ecosystems from ozone damage. However, change in future
climate conditions (e.g., higher temperatures) may offset these ecological benefits as forests
negatively respond directly to climate change and potentially higher ozone concentrations
occuring due to warmer weather.29 The stresses on plant growth and productivity from increasing
ozone concentrations combined with an increasing frequency of droughts could negatively affect
the carbon sequestration capacity of forests. In addition, an increasing frequency of wildfires
combined with increasing levels of methane globally may result in higher background ozone
concentrations in the near future,30 which also has implications for forest ecosystem protection.
Conclusion
This is an initial assessment of the potential vulnerabilities EPA's Office of Air and Radiation may
face due to a changing climate. It provides a foundation on which to examine OAR's programs
and is meant to provide flexibility so that emerging scientific understanding may continue to be
incorporated over time.
28 Greaver, T., Clark, C., Compton, J. et al. (2016). Key ecological responses to nitrogen are altered by climate change. Nature
Climate Change, 6, 836-843. https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate3088.
29 Wells, B., Dolwick, P., Eder, B., et al (2021). Improved estimation of trends in U.S. ozone concentrations adjusted for
interannual variability in meteorological conditions. Atmospheric Environment, 248, 118234.
https://doi.Org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2021.118234.
30 Zhang, L., Lin, M., Langford, A.O., Horowitz, L.W., Senff, C.J., Klovenski, E., Wang, Y., Alvarez, I., Raul, J., Petropavlovskikh,
I., Cullis, P., Sterling, C.W., Peischl, J., Ryerson, T.B., Brown, S.S., Decker, Z.C.J., Kirgis, G. & Conley S. (2020). Characterizing
sources of high surface ozone events in the southwestern US with intensive field measurements and two global models Atmos.
Chem. Phys., 20(17), 10379-10400. DOI: 10.5194/acp-20-10379-2020
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OAR Programmatic Vulnerability Summary Table
CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS b
EPA PROGRAMMATIC IMPACTS c
Goals
Climate Change Impactd
Likelihood
of Impacte
Focus of Associated EPA Program
Likelihood
EPA
Program will
be Affected f
Example of Risks if Program were
Impacted
Goal 1: Climate Crisis, Goal 2: Environmental Justice, Goal 3: Enforcement
& Compliance, Goal 4: Clean and Healthy Air
• Increased tropospheric
ozone pollution in certain
regions
Likely1
• Protecting public health and the environment
by setting National Ambient Air Quality
Standards (NAAQS) and implementing
programs to help meet the standards
High
• Could become more difficult to attain
NAAQS for ozone in many areas with
existing ozone problems
• Increased frequency
and intensity of
wildfires
Very Likely2
• Protecting public health and the environment
by setting National Ambient Air Quality
Standards (NAAQS) and implementing
programs to help meet the standards
• Promote non-regulatory guidance for
reducing indoor exposure to wildfire smoke
High
• Could continue to complicate Agency
efforts to protect public health and the
environment from risks posed by
particulate matter (PM) pollution in areas
affected by more frequent wildfires
• Increasing extreme
temperatures
• Increasing heavy
precipitation events
Very Likely3
and Likely3
• Protect public health by promoting healthy
indoor environments through non-regulatory
programs and guidance
• Mitigating health, air quality, and energy use
impacts of urban heat islands through
outreach and technical assistance to local
governments
Medium
• Could increase public health risks,
including risksforthe young, the elderly,
the chronically ill, and socioeconomically
disadvantaged populations
• Could reduce air quality and increase
heat-related illnesses and deaths in
urban areas
• Effects on the
stratospheric ozone
layer
Likely4
• Restoring the stratospheric ozone layer
• Preventing UV-related disease
• Providing a smooth transition to safer
alternatives
High
• Unable to restore ozone concentrations
to benchmark levels as quickly at some
latitudes
• Effects on response of
ecosystems to atmospheric
deposition of sulfur,
nitrogen, and mercury
Likely5'67
• Ecosystem protections from Agency
emissions reduction programs
Low
• Based on growing research, could have
consequences for the effectiveness of
ecosystem protections under those
programs
• Increased frequency and
severity of severe
weather events
Very
Likely8
• Monitoring and assessing the benefits and
effectiveness of Agency emissions reduction
programs
• Agency disaster planning, preparedness, and
response
Medium
• Could decrease the amount and/or
quality of data collected by the Agency
• Could impact the Agency's ability to
accurately characterize situations of
environmental injustice, among other
priorities
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Footnotes for OAR Programmatic Vulnerability Summary Table
a This table summarizes vulnerabilities by goals in EPA's FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan. OAR's program vulnerabilities fall under Goal 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis, Goal 2:
Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights, Goal 3: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance, and Goal 4: Ensure Clean and
Healthy Air for All Communities.
b Climate Change Impacts are based upon peer-reviewed scientific literature.
c Programmatic Impacts are based upon EPA best professional judgment at this time.
d Impacts can vary by season and location.
e In general, the sources cited in this section use Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) likelihood of outcome terminology where the term 'very likely' means
90-100% probability and the term 'likely' means 66-100% probability. For some impacts in the table, additional discussion on the likelihood term is provided in the
associated footnote.
f High assumes the program will be affected by the impact; Medium assumes the program could be affected under some conditions by the impact; Low assumes that there
is a potential for the program to be impacted or uncertainty currently exists as to the potential nature and extent of the impact. This assessment is based on best
professional judgment within EPA at this time. Please note, this column does not reflect several important considerations. For example, it does not distinguish timeframes
(current, near-term, long-term). It does not account for regional and local variations. And it does not reflect the priority of actions the agency may undertake now or in the
future.
1 Nolte, C.G., Dolwick, P.D., Fann, N., Horowitz, L.W., Naik, V., Pinder, R.W., Spero, T.L., Winner, D.A., & Ziska, L.H. (2018). Ch. 13: Air quality. In Impacts, Risks, and
Adaptation in the United States: Fourth National Climate Assessment, Volume II [Reidmiller, D.R., Avery, C.W., Easterling, D.R., Kunkel, K.E., Lewis, K.L.M., Maycock,
T.K., & Stewart, B.C. (eds.)]. U.S. Global Change Research Program, Washington, DC, 512-538. DOI: 10.7930/NCA4.2018.CH13
2 M.P., Reidmiller, D.R., Avery, C.W., Crimmins, A., Dahlman, L., Easterling, D.R., Gaal, R., Greenhalgh, E., Herring, D., Kunkel, K.E., Lindsey, R., Maycock, T.K., Molar, R.,
Stewart, B.C., & Vose, R.S. (2018): Frequently asked questions. In Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States: Fourth National Climate Assessment, Volume II
[Reidmiller, D.R., Avery, C.W., Easterling, D.R., Kunkel, K.E., Lewis, K.L.M., Maycock, T.K., & Stewart, B.C. (eds.)]. U.S. Global Change Research Program, Washington,
DC, 1508, Figure A5.31. DOI: 10.7930/NCA4.2018.AP5.
3 Seneviratne, S.I., Zhang, X., Adnan, M., Badi, W., Dereczynski, C., Di Luca, A., Ghosh, S., Iskandar, I., Kossin, J., Lewis, S., Otto, F., Pinto, I., Satoh, M., Vicente-Serrano,
S.M., Wehner, M., & Zhou, B. (2021). Ch. 11: Weather and climate extreme events in a changing climate. In Climate Change: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of
Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Masson-Delmotte, V., Zhai, P., Pirani, A., Connors, S.L., Pean, C.,
Berger, S., Caud, N., Chen, Y., Goldfarb, L., Gomis, M.I., Huang, M., Leitzell, K., Lonnoy, E., Matthews, J.B.R., Maycock, T.K., Waterfield, T., Yelekgi, O., Yu, R., & Zhou,
B. (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA, 1513-1766. D0l:10.1017/9781009157896.013.
4 World Meteorological Organization (2018). Scientific assessment of ozone depletion. Global Ozone Research and Monitoring Project. Geneva, Switzerland, Report No. 58,
588. https://ozone.unep.org/sites/default/files/2019-05/SAP-2018-Assessment-report.pdf. Note: the word "expected" is used in the report to characterize projected climate
change impacts on the stratospheric ozone layer. For purposes of this table the word "likely" has been used as a proxy for "expected."
5 Burns, D.A., Lynch, J.A., Cosby, B.J., Fenn, M.E., & Baron, J.S. (2011). National acid precipitation assessment program report to Congress: An integrated assessment.
National Science and Technology Council, Washington, DC, 114. https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/70007175.
6 IPCC (2019). IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate [Portner, H.-O., Roberts, D.C., Masson-Delmotte, V., Zhai, P., Tignor, M.,
Poloczanska, E., Mintenbeck, K., Alegria, A., Nicolai, M., Okem, A., Petzold, J., Rama, B., & Weyer, N.M. (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New
York, NY, USA, 755. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009157964.
7 USGCRP (2014). Climate Change Impacts in the United States: The Third National Climate Assessment [Melillo, J. M., Richmond, T.C., & Yohe, G.W. (eds.)]. U.S. Global
Change Research Program, Washington, DC, 841. DOM0.7930/J0Z31WJ2.
8 Seneviratne, S.I., Zhang, X., Adnan, M., Badi, W., Dereczynski, C., Di Luca, A., Ghosh, S., Iskandar, I., Kossin, J., Lewis, S., Otto, F., Pinto, I., Satoh, M., Vicente-Serrano,
S.M., Wehner, M., & Zhou, B. (2021). Ch. 11: Weather and climate extreme events in a changing climate. In Climate Change: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of
Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Masson-Delmotte, V., Zhai, P., Pirani, A., Connors, S.L., Pean, C.,
Berger, S., Caud, N., Chen, Y., Goldfarb, L., Gomis, M.I., Huang, M., Leitzell, K., Lonnoy, E., Matthews, J.B.R., Maycock, T.K., Waterfield, T., Yelekgi, O., Yu, R., &Zhou,
B. (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom and New York, USA, 1513-1766. D0l:10.1017/9781009157896.013.
18
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III. Priority Actions
Introduction
EPA's Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) works to fulfill a number of strategic goals in EPA's 2022-
2026 Strategic Plan. These include Goal 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis, Goal 2: Take Decisive
Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights, Goal 3: Enforce Environmental Laws
and Ensure Compliance, and Goal 4: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities. In doing
so, OAR implements programs including those that address outdoor and indoor air quality, climate
change, stratospheric ozone, and atmospheric deposition. OAR works closely with EPA's
Program and Regional Offices and other federal agencies to implement many of the programs
and fosters collaborative partnerships with the business community when implementing certain
programs. OAR also collaborates closely with researchers and modelers to better understand,
characterize, and project the potential impacts of climate change on outdoor and indoor air quality
and other environmental and public health endpoints that are the focus of OAR programs.
Furthermore, OAR works with an extensive set of stakeholders from states and local communities,
Tribal nations, and various business, environmental, and health organizations to effectively reach
the public. Many of these efforts provide opportunities to factor in the impacts of climate change
as well as advance our understanding of how vulnerable populations—including low-income
communities, communities of color, Tribes,31 and Indigenous people—are disproportionately
affected.
OAR will continue to exercise its authorities under the Clean Air Act, including new investments
under the Inflation Reduction Act, to reduce greenhouse gases (mitigation), the primary pollutants
that cause climate change. This Implementation Plan, however, is designed to address adaptation
of OAR's programs in response to climate change and, specifically, to consider how OAR's
programs will continue to strive to protect public health and the environment given a changing
climate. Furthermore, climate change will have inherently unequal impacts on people and
communities, who will have varying adaptive capacities and resilience. As a result, OAR will need
to consider these inequitable climate impacts as it identifies ways to continue, improve upon, and
extend the reach of its programs to all communities. This Implementation Plan also considers
when and how analytical tools can be adapted to better reflect a changing climate. As part of this
process, OAR will continue to review our standard operating procedures and identify, where
appropriate, opportunities for integration of climate adaptation considerations. In addition, OAR
will take steps to ensure the outcomes of infrastructure investments using Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA, or Bipartisan Infrastructure Law [BIL]) funds are resilient to the
impacts of climate change. OAR will explore opportunities to integrate climate change
considerations into its financial assistance programs in order to expand support for projects that
increase climate resilience while delivering co-benefits for public health, the mitigation of
greenhouse gases, and the reduction of other pollution. OAR will also provide technical assistance
to recipients of BIL funds to help them make climate smart infrastructure investments.
31 In this Implementation Plan, the term "Tribe" and "Tribal nation" is referring to federally recognized Indian Tribes. Federally
recognized Indian Tribes are those Tribes that have met criteria established by the Department of the Interior or are designated
by law as eligible to receive federal benefits, federal services, and federal protections. The special relationship federally
recognized Tribes have with the United States is known as the government-to-government relationship.
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OAR derived its priority actions from the vulnerabilities identified in the vulnerability assessment
of this implementation plan (p. 6-18) and in the Agency's 2021 Climate Adaptation Action Plan. In
determining these priority actions, OAR considered the following:
• Strength of the science
• Extent of the threat to the program
• Complexity in implementation
• Feasibility of integrating climate change adaptation into a particular program
• Legal authorities
There are five priority actions that represent different types of efforts OAR intends to implement
annually in 2022-2026. The five priority actions will be supported by a series of sub-actions that
represent achievable activities in 2022 and 2023. These sub-actions range from relatively
straightforward incorporations of adaptation into ongoing programs to activities that will require
multiple steps before implementation. For example, before recalibrating any regulatory or program
models, OAR would follow all existing Clean Air Act procedures for public engagement and initiate
a process for a transparent and methodological approach to incorporate climate change
adaptation. While OAR is committed to accomplishing the following priority actions and sub-
actions, successful implementation will depend on availability of appropriate resources (i.e., staff
and funding). This list reflects the Office's best current understanding and is designed to be
updated every few years to reflect new activities as the science and knowledge about
vulnerabilities and adaptation issues evolves.
OAR Priority Actions
Priority Action 1.0: Planning and Implementation
This action is designed to strengthen climate change adaptation across OAR through planning,
evaluation, and coordination across OAR offices and programs. OAR implements a wide range
of programs that address air quality, climate change, stratospheric ozone, atmospheric deposition,
and indoor air. As a result, climate change will affect OAR's programs and mission. To address
these vulnerabilities, the following sub-actions are activities that will better integrate climate
change adaptation into OAR's work and help meet its goal to build more resilient and climate-
responsive programs.
1.1 Develop Climate Adaptation Implementation Plan.
1.2 Coordinate OAR web areas with Climate Adaptation microsite and link to adaptation
information, resources, tools, etc., as appropriate.
Co-benefits associated with these sub-actions include support for EPA's strategic objective to
accelerate resilience and adaptation to climate change impacts through the development of
implementation plans as well as communications of EPA-mission essential priorities and
programs including mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and other pollution, air
quality, public health, and environmental justice.
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Priority Action 2.0: Outreach and Education
This action encourages work within EPA and with external stakeholders, as necessary, to review
and revise information for citizens, especially at-risk populations, on the impact of climate change
and associated events on ambient and indoor air quality, including ozone and particulate matter
(PM) health impacts. Climate change is likely to increase tropospheric ozone pollution and affect
levels of particulate matter through changes in the frequency or intensity of wildfires. As a result,
climate change may worsen existing indoor environmental problems and indoor air quality and
may also introduce new problems as the frequency of outdoor conditions change. These impacts
can disproportionately impact vulnerable and disadvantaged populations and lifestages. To
address these vulnerabilities, the following sub-actions are activities that will provide the most
current information to the public on air quality conditions, public health, and adaptation planning.
2.1 Incorporate adaptation considerations into OTAQ's partnership programs through
outreach and education to stakeholders. As adaptation planning and implementation is
an established priority for some stakeholders, OTAQ will connect for them ways that this
priority can be addressed that will also accomplish our program objectives, including
climate mitigation benefits.
2.2 Address the public health impacts from wildfire smoke, which impacts millions of people
each year, by communicating trusted information about air quality conditions and health
impacts and manage how fire emissions (wildfire and prescribed fire) are considered in
the broader context of the nation's air quality programs.
2.3 Develop and/or update existing indoor air guidance on climate change adaptation
strategies to further equip stakeholders to build adaptive capacity in communities.
Co-benefits associated with these sub-actions include providing resources to vulnerable, at-risk
populations on air quality conditions, indoor air guidance, and public health as well as resources
to support state and community actions such as the Smoke Ready Communities and Air Quality
Flag Programs.
Priority Action 3.0: Technical Assistance and Adaptive Capacity
This action is to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity of federal, state, local, and tribal
stakeholders to climate change impacts on ambient and indoor air quality, through enhanced
technical assistance and training. Climate change is likely to worsen the quality of ambient and
indoor air due to increases in tropospheric ozone pollution and increasing levels of particulate
matter from changes in frequency or intensity of wildfires with vulnerable populations experiencing
disproportionate impacts. Climate change may also increase the frequency and severity of
extreme weather events thereby affecting the capacity to reliably monitor and assess the
effectiveness of OAR's programs. To address these vulnerabilities, the following sub-actions are
activities that will provide technical assistance and guidance on adaptation strategies to address
ambient and indoor air quality and extreme weather events.
3.1 Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to improve building and
infrastructure resilience to the impacts of climate through improved building codes and
practices, and enhanced adoption of design, construction, and maintenance practices.
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3.2 Provide training and technical assistance on climate change adaptation strategies to
mitigate impacts on indoor air quality with the aim of building adaptive capacity in
communities.
3.3 Enhance the Exceptional Events Submission and Tracking System (EETS) and develop
wildfire-related implementation tools.
3.4 Promote participation in the PM2.5& Ozone Advance program as proactive approach to
integrating actions to improve air quality and address climate change.
3.5 Protect infrastructure funded through the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) (such
as shore power installations and new dray truck fleets) from severe weather impacts by
developing guidance to grant recipients and request for applications (RFA) scoring that
gives an appropriate amount of priority for applications that describe steps that will
ensure infrastructure enabling grant-eligible clean technologies will be resilient to the
effects of climate change. Apply knowledge gained from DERA to include adaptation
considerations in future grants (i.e., BIL Clean School Bus grant program).
3.6 Develop feasibility assessment describing how climate measures and associated
impacts can be integrated into NAAQS attainment planning.
Co-benefits associated with these sub-actions include supporting EPA priorities on protecting
public health, mitigation of GHGs and other pollution, and environmental justice. Support is
provided through technical assistance and training on adaptation strategies to address air quality
conditions, extreme weather events, and to help local governments mitigate urban heat islands
such as in the Heat Island Reduction Program.
Priority Action 4.0: Research and Integration
This action promotes, fosters, and integrates research and improved data collection, internally
and externally, on climate change adaptation and related effects on OAR programs. Knowledge
and understanding of effects to air quality from climate change is always growing resulting in
challenges with data collection, modeling, and analysis of future trends and impacts. Furthermore,
climate change can affect data collection processes on OAR programs such as Clear Air Status
and Trends Network (CASTNET) monitoring sites, which are vulnerable to extreme weather
events (e.g., hurricanes, wildfires, etc.). To address these vulnerabilities, the following sub-actions
are activities focused on advancing climate change research in OAR and integrating climate
change adaptation into OAR research and program monitoring.
4.1 Incorporate adaptation scenarios and costs into more climate change impact and risk
analyses and economic modeling, where appropriate.
4.2 Promote research and collaboration, including within the environmental research
community, to improve the understanding of the relationship between climate change,
indoor air quality, and human health.
4.3 Assess combined health effects of extreme heat and air pollution.
4.4 Capital investment to build monitoring resiliency into the existing CASTNET
infrastructure, enabling the Agency to enhance climate monitoring capacity to better
assess public health (e.g., duration/intensity of pollen season) and environmental
impacts across the US.
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4.5 Collaborate with the environmental research community and long-term monitoring
community on climate change interactions with atmospheric deposition of pollutants and
impacts to natural and managed ecosystems.
Co-benefits associated with these sub-actions include data collection, modeling, and analysis that
will better capture impacts of climate change and adaptation on atmospheric deposition and
ecosystems, air quality and public health, and disproportionate impacts on vulnerable populations.
One of the added benefits of building monitoring resiliency into long-term air quality and deposition
monitoring programs such as CASTNET is the enhanced collaboration with Tribes, including
opportunities that expand tribal monitoring capacity. At present, CASTNET has 7 tribal partners:
Cherokee Nation, Santee Sioux Nation, Alabama-Coushatta Tribe, Red Lake Band of Chippewa
Indians, Kickapoo Tribe, Nez Perce Tribe, and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian
Reservation.
Priority Action 5.0: Modeling and Analysis
This action advances climate change science through modeling and analysis activities. Climate
change is likely to have wide-ranging impacts on OAR program areas including stratospheric
ozone protection, ambient and indoor air quality, long-term monitoring activities, and ecosystem
protection from multi-pollutant deposition. To address these vulnerabilities, the following sub-
actions are activities that will improve understanding of climate change impacts through modeling
and analysis activities, which can inform climate change adaptation strategies.
5.1 Develop indoor air chemistry modeling capabilities to inform research of the sensitivity
of indoor air chemistry to changes in ambient temperature and humidity, occupant
behaviors, and indoor air quality interventions.
5.2 Continue to utilize, refine, and further develop a meteorological adjustment procedure to
assess the impact of long-term changes in meteorological conditions on trends in
surface ozone levels.
5.3 Update internal multi-pollutant screening tool (NEXUS) with new climate vulnerability
analysis and risk indicators (e.g., flood, fire, sea level rise, heat, disease) to more fully
inform a holistic understanding of population risk exposure. NEXUS is being developed
as an advanced multi-pollutant internal screening tool to identify geographic areas where
health risks related to ozone, PM2.5, and air toxics overlap.
5.4 Integrate climate change impacts into the electric power sector projections.
Co-benefits associated with these sub-actions include supporting EPA priorities on mitigation of
GHGs and other pollution and protecting public health through modeling and analysis activities
that advance understanding of climate change science, impacts on air quality and public health,
and impacts on electric power sector.
Partnerships with Tribes
Under the U.S. Constitution, treaties with tribal nations are part of the supreme law of the land,
establishing unique sets of rights, benefits and conditions for the treaty-making tribes who were
forced to cede millions of acres of their homelands to the United States, in return for recognition
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of property rights in land and resources as well as federal protections. Tribal treaty rights have
the same legal force and effect as federal statutes, and they should be integrated into and given
the fullest consideration throughout EPA's collective work. Reserved rights are the rights tribes
retain that were not expressly granted to the United States by tribes in treaties. Treaty and
reserved rights, including but not limited to the rights to hunt, fish and gather, may be found both
on and off-reservation lands. Agencies should consider treaty and reserved rights in developing
and implementing climate adaption plans in order to protect these rights and ensure the Agencies
meet their legal and statutory obligations and other mission priorities as we work to combat the
climate crisis.
In September 2021, EPA joined 16 other federal agencies in signing a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) that committed those parties to identifying and protecting tribal treaty rights
early in the decision-making and regulatory processes. Accordingly, EPA will consider and
protect treaty and reserved rights in developing and implementing climate adaptation plans
through strengthened consultation, additional staff training and annual reporting requirements.
EPA values its unique government-to-government relationship with Indian tribes in planning and
decision making. Supporting the development of adaptive capacity among tribes is a priority for
the EPA. Tribes are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to the integral
nature of the environment within their traditional lifeways and culture. They have also been limited
to living on marginal land that will be less resilient to climate impacts. OAR is committed to
supporting adaptation actions that help to promote sustainability and reduce the impacts of climate
change on tribes in the U.S.
EPA hosted a listening session with Tribes on the Agency's Climate Change Adaptation Action
Plan in October 2021. Tribes identified unique tribal needs and circumstances as well as some of
the most pressing issues they are facing including erosion, temperature change, drought, and
various changes in access to and quality of water. Tribes recommended a number of strategies
to address these issues, including improving access to data and information; supporting research
to better track the effects of climate change and to protect and preserve important species;
developing community-level education and awareness materials; and providing financial and
technical support. EPA will host an engagement process with Tribes on the draft program and
regional climate adaptation implementation plans later this year.
The EPA's FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan outlines cooperation and collaboration priorities with
Tribes on climate change and air quality in Goal 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis and Goal 4: Ensure
Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities. Goal 1 broadly entails cutting pollution that causes
climate change and increasing the adaptive capacity of Tribes, states, territories, and
communities. A key objective of this goal is to deliver targeted assistance to increase the resilience
of Tribes, states, territories, and communities to the impacts of climate change (Objective 1.2).
Specifically, through consultation and partnership, the Agency will assist federally recognized
Tribes to take action to anticipate, prepare for, adapt to, or recover from the impacts of climate
change. Goal 4 centers on protecting human health and the environment from the harmful effects
of air pollution. A primary objective of this goal is to limit unnecessary radiation exposure and
achieve healthier indoor air quality, especially for vulnerable populations (Objective 4.2).
Specifically, EPA will provide technical assistance and other support to Tribes through the Tribal
Air Monitoring Support (TAMS) Center and tools to build local expertise and indoor air quality
capacity among Tribal air quality professionals to help reduce exposure to harmful indoor air
pollutants, including through radon testing and mitigation technologies.
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OAR's adaptation efforts can benefit from the expertise our tribal partners choose to share,
including insights drawn from their Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). TEK is a valuable
body of knowledge in understanding the current and future impacts of climate change and has
been used by tribes for millennia as a tool to adapt to changing surroundings. Consistent with the
principles in the 1984 ilicv for the Administration of Environmental Programs on Indian
Reservations and EPA's Policy on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes, EPA will
strive to better understand TEK as a complementary resource that can inform planning and
decision-making.
OAR will utilize existing (and new) networks, partnerships, and sources of funding and
training/technical to collaborate with tribes on climate change issues. These collaborations and
resources include American Indian Air Quality Training Program, Regional Tribal Operations
Committees, the National Tribal Air Association, the Institute for Tribal Environmental
Professionals, the Tribal Air Monitoring Support Center, the Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal
Resilience Program, and the Indian General Assistance Program. Additionally, efforts will be
made to coordinate with other Regional and Program Offices in EPA, since climate change has
many impacts that transcend media and regional boundaries. Transparency and information-
sharing will be essential to better leverage activities already taking place within EPA Offices and
tribal governments.
Vulnerable Populations and Places
Certain individuals and communities—such as communities of color, children, the elderly, those
with low income, persons with underlying medical conditions and disabilities, those with limited
access to information, Tribal communities, and Indigenous people—can be especially vulnerable
to the impacts of a changing climate. As climate change exacerbates existing pollution problems
and environmental stressors, overburdened and underserved communities and individuals are
particularly vulnerable to these impacts. Also, certain geographic locations and communities are
particularly vulnerable, such as those located in low-lying coastal areas or living in isolated or
segregated areas.
The EPA's FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan prioritizes consideration of climate change, air quality,
and environmental justice in Goal 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis and Goal 4: Ensure Clean and
Healthy Air for All Communities. Similar to the strategies with Tribes mentioned above (p. 24-26),
a key objective of Goal 1 is to deliver targeted assistance to increase the resilience of Tribes,
states, territories, and communities to the impacts of climate change (Objective 1.2). Specifically,
the Agency will provide assistance to states, territories, local governments, and communities with
environmental justice concerns to take action to anticipate, prepare for, adapt to, or recover from
the impacts of climate change. In the case of Goal 4, a key objective is to limit unnecessary
radiation exposure and achieve healthier indoor air quality, especially for vulnerable populations
(Objective 4.2). Notably, the Agency will work to reduce exposures to radon through home testing
and mitigation, promote in-home asthma management, improve air quality in homes and schools,
and build capacity for Tribes and communities with environmental justice concerns to
comprehensively address indoor air risks. EPA will also continue to provide State Indoor Radon
Grant funding, and technical assistance to Tribes and states, with a focus on increasing access
to testing and mitigation in underserved communities.
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While actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions remain a top priority, OAR also recognizes
the importance of implementing adaptation strategies to minimize the impacts from climate
change that people and communities are already experiencing as well as those that will occur.
One of the principles guiding EPA's efforts to integrate climate adaptation into its programs,
policies, and rules calls for its adaptation plans to prioritize helping people, places, and
infrastructure that are most vulnerable to climate impacts and that the plans are to be designed
and implemented with the meaningful involvement from all parts of society.
OAR currently integrates Tribal and environmental justice considerations into a number its
programs. For example, in its non-regulatory indoor air program, consistent with Priority Action
2.4 above (p. 21), OAR will increase its work with partners and regional staff to revise and update
guidance so that it further addresses the adaptive capacity among disproportionately impacted
populations. OAR also released a new analysis, Climate Change and Social Vulnerability in the
United States: A Focus on Six Impact Sectors, which shows that the highest impacts of climate
change fall disproportionately upon socially vulnerable individuals and communities. In keeping
with Priority Action 4.1 above (p. 23), OAR will continue to look for opportunities to integrate
adaptation and environmental justice considerations in its climate change impacts and risk
analysis research. Another example is that OAR currently collaborates with 7 Tribes to monitor
air quality and atmospheric deposition as part of the Clean Air Status and Trends Network
(CASTNET). OAR will continue to seek opportunities to create new Tribal partnerships and
provide technical monitoring assistance to Tribes through CASTNET. OAR's Burn Wise Program
is developing targeted outreach and educational tools (e.g., Simple & Inexpensive Options for
Storing Firewood video), based on feedback from low-income and Tribal communities, to reduce
residential wood smoke emissions (e.g., PM, air toxics, methane, and black carbon) indoors and
out. Burn Wise will continue to partner with Tribes and environmental justice communities and
focus efforts to provide and promote sharing of appropriate and effective outreach tools. Lastly,
OAR's Heat Island Reduction Program has developed communications and technical materials
to raise awareness of and share solutions related to the disproportionate health impacts of
extreme heat on underserved communities. OAR will continue to develop and enhance its
materials on extreme heat inequities.
Conclusion
Climate change will continue to have significant impacts on the health and well-being of
Americans and the environment, with the greatest impacts falling disproportionately on historically
underserved and overburdened communities. This Implementation Plan identifies key
programmatic vulnerabilities (p. 6-18) and the priority actions (p. 19-35) that will be taken to
address those vulnerabilities over time. As the work called for in this Implementation Plan is
conducted, where appropriate and technically possible, the communities and demographic groups
most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change will be identified. Efforts will be made to share
information and coordinate with other Regional and Program Offices in EPA, to leverage and
enhance climate change and environmental justice activities that are already taking place. The
Agency will work in partnership with these communities to increase their adaptive capacity and
resilience to climate change impacts learning from experiences with past extreme weather events
(e.g., hurricanes, droughts, tornados, etc.) and subsequent recovery efforts.
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OAR Priority Actions Summary Table
Priority Action Statement
Performance Metric
Lead
Office
Start/End
Date
Agency-Wide Priority
Resources
1.0
Plannina and Implementation:
Strengthen climate change adaptation
across OAR through planning,
evaluation, and coordination across
OAR offices and programs.
Accomplish 100% of the sub-
actions below in FY22 and
FY23
OAR
FY22/Ongoing
Priority 1: Integrate climate
adaptation into EPA programs,
policies, rulemaking processes,
and enforcement activities.
-
1.1
Develop Climate Adaptation
Implementation Plan.
Completed Plan submitted to
OP (i.e., 1 plan for FY22)
OAP
FY22
Priority 1: Integrate climate
adaptation into EPA programs,
policies, rulemaking processes,
and enforcement activities.
Yes
1.2
Coordinate OAR web areas with
Climate Adaptation microsite and link to
adaptation information, resources, tools,
etc. as appropriate.
Update EPA Climate Change
website every year (or as
needed) to include links to
adaptation content from across
EPA (i.e., 1 update per year)
OAP
FY22/Ongoing
Priority 1: Integrate climate
adaptation into EPA programs,
policies, rulemaking processes,
and enforcement activities.
Yes
2.0
Outreach and Education: Work within
EPA and with external stakeholders, as
necessary, to review and revise
information for citizens, especially at-
risk populations, on the impact of
climate change and associated events
on ambient and indoor air quality,
including ozone and particulate matter
(PM) health impacts.
Accomplish 67% of the sub-
actions below in FY22; 67% in
FY23
OAR
FY22/Ongoing
Priority 1: Integrate climate
adaptation into EPA programs,
policies, rulemaking processes,
and enforcement activities.
-
2.1
Incorporate adaptation considerations
into OTAQ's partnership programs
through outreach and education to
stakeholders. As adaptation planning
and implementation is an established
priority for some stakeholders, OTAQ
will connect for them ways that this
priority can be addressed that will also
accomplish our program objectives,
including climate mitigation benefits.
Include adaptation information
in one stakeholder document,
presentation, or other outreach
communications per year
OTAQ
FY22/Ongoing
Priority 1: Integrate climate
adaptation into EPA programs,
policies, rulemaking processes,
and enforcement activities.
Additional
resources
needed to
implement
this sub-
action.
27
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Priority Action Statement
Performance Metric
Lead
Office
Start/End
Date
Agency-Wide Priority
Resources
2.2
Address the public health impacts from
wildfire smoke, which impacts millions
of people each year, by communicating
trusted information about air quality
conditions and health impacts and
manage how fire emissions (wildfire and
prescribed fire) are considered in the
broader context of the nation's air
quality programs.
Develop, enhance, and deploy
tools and resources to support
community wildfire smoke
preparedness and response
(i.e., aim to develop 2 published
resources per year)
OAQPS
FY22/Ongoing
Priority 1: Integrate climate
adaptation into EPA programs,
policies, rulemaking processes,
and enforcement activities.
Additional
resources
needed to
implement
this sub-
action.
2.3
Develop and/or update existing indoor
air guidance on climate change
adaptation strategies to further equip
stakeholders to build adaptive capacity
in communities.
Update 1-3 existing guidance
and/or communication materials
per year
ORIA
FY22/Ongoing
Priority 1: Integrate climate
adaptation into EPA programs,
policies, rulemaking processes,
and enforcement activities.
Additional
resources
needed to
implement
this sub-
action.
3.0
Technical Assistance and Adaptive
Capacity: Strenathen resilience and
adaptive capacity of federal, state, local,
and tribal stakeholders to climate
change impacts on ambient and indoor
air quality, through enhanced technical
assistance and training.
Accomplish 67% of the sub-
actions below in FY22; 75% in
FY23
OAR
FY22/Ongoing
Priority 1: Integrate climate
adaptation into EPA programs,
policies, rulemaking processes,
and enforcement activities.
Priority 2: Consult and partner
with states, tribes, territories, local
governments, environmental
justice organizations, community
groups, businesses, and other
federal agencies to strengthen
adaptive capacity and increase the
resilience of the nation, with a
particular focus on advancing
environmental justice.
-
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Priority Action Statement
Performance Metric
Lead
Office
Start/End
Date
Agency-Wide Priority
Resources
Collaborate with internal and external
stakeholders to improve building and
infrastructure resilience to the impacts
of climate through improved building
codes and practices, and enhanced
adoption of design, construction, and
maintenance practices.
Priority 1: Integrate climate
adaptation into EPA programs,
policies, rulemaking processes,
and enforcement activities.
3.1
Host 1-3 meetings with internal
or external stakeholders per
year
ORIA
FY22/Ongoing
Priority 2: Consult and partner
with states, tribes, territories, local
governments, environmental
justice organizations, community
groups, businesses, and other
federal agencies to strengthen
adaptive capacity and increase the
resilience of the nation, with a
particular focus on advancing
environmental justice.
Additional
resources
needed to
implement
this sub-
action.
3.2
Provide training and technical
assistance on climate change
adaptation strategies to mitigate
impacts on indoor air quality with the
aim of building adaptive capacity in
communities.
Provide technical assistance as
1-3 trainings and/or webinars
per year
ORIA
FY22/Ongoing
Priority 1: Integrate climate
adaptation into EPA programs,
policies, rulemaking processes,
and enforcement activities.
Priority 2: Consult and partner
with states, tribes, territories, local
governments, environmental
justice organizations, community
groups, businesses, and other
federal agencies to strengthen
adaptive capacity and increase the
resilience of the nation, with a
particular focus on advancing
environmental justice.
Additional
resources
needed to
implement
this sub-
action.
3.3
Enhance the Exceptional Events
Submission and Tracking System
(EETS) and develop wildfire-related
implementation tools.
Develop and implement
enhancements to the EETS
(i.e., develop 3 requirements for
enhancements in FY22;
implement these 3
enhancements in FY23); work
with S/L/Ts to increase EE
demonstrations in FY22 and
FY23
OAQPS
FY22/Ongoing
Priority 1: Integrate climate
adaptation into EPA programs,
policies, rulemaking processes,
and enforcement activities.
Priority 2: Consult and partner
with states, tribes, territories, local
governments, environmental
justice organizations, community
groups, businesses, and other
federal agencies to strengthen
adaptive capacity and increase the
Resources
required to
implement
this sub-
action.
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Priority Action Statement
Performance Metric
Lead
Office
Start/End
Date
Agency-Wide Priority
Resources
resilience of the nation, with a
particular focus on advancing
environmental justice.
3.4
Promote participation in the PM2 5&
Ozone Advance program as proactive
approach to integrating actions to
improve air quality and address climate
change.
Provide information and
collaboration opportunities
through monthly webinars,
newsletters, website,
networking, and partner
meetings twice per year. (Goal
is to attract new areas to the
program and support greater
integration of climate/air quality-
related programs/benefits in
plans submitted by Advance
areas.)
OAQPS
FY22/Ongoing
Priority 1: Integrate climate
adaptation into EPA programs,
policies, rulemaking processes,
and enforcement activities.
Priority 2: Consult and partner
with states, tribes, territories, local
governments, environmental
justice organizations, community
groups, businesses, and other
federal agencies to strengthen
adaptive capacity and increase the
resilience of the nation, with a
particular focus on advancing
environmental justice.
Additional
resources
needed to
implement
this sub-
action.
3.5
Protect infrastructure funded through
DERA (such as shore power
installations and new dray truck fleets)
from severe weather impacts by
developing guidance to grant recipients
and RFA scoring that gives an
appropriate amount of priority for
applications that describe steps that will
ensure infrastructure enabling grant-
eligible clean technologies will be
resilient to the effects of climate
change. Apply knowledge gained from
DERA to include adaptation
considerations in future grants (i.e., BIL
Clean School Bus grant program).
Incorporate appropriate
adaptation information in DERA
RFA and guidance documents
OTAQ
FY22/Ongoing
Priority 1: Integrate climate
adaptation into EPA programs,
policies, rulemaking processes,
and enforcement activities.
Priority 2: Consult and partner
with states, tribes, territories, local
governments, environmental
justice organizations, community
groups, businesses, and other
federal agencies to strengthen
adaptive capacity and increase the
resilience of the nation, with a
particular focus on advancing
environmental justice.
Additional
resources
needed to
implement
this sub-
action.
30
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Priority Action Statement
Performance Metric
Lead
Office
Start/End
Date
Agency-Wide Priority
Resources
3.6
Develop feasibility assessment
describing how climate measures and
associated impacts can be integrated
into NAAQS attainment planning.
Develop a feasibility
assessment of potential options
to integrate climate adaptation
into NAAQS attainment
planning (i.e., develop feasibility
assessment in FY23)
OAQPS
FY23/Ongoing
Priority 1: Integrate climate
adaptation into EPA programs,
policies, rulemaking processes,
and enforcement activities.
Priority 2: Consult and partner
with states, tribes, territories, local
governments, environmental
justice organizations, community
groups, businesses, and other
federal agencies to strengthen
adaptive capacity and increase the
resilience of the nation, with a
particular focus on advancing
environmental justice.
Additional
resources
needed to
implement
this sub-
action.
4.0
Research and Intearation: Promote,
foster, and integrate research and
improved data collection, internally and
externally, on climate change
adaptation and related effects on OAR
programs.
Accomplish 80% of the sub-
actions below in FY22 and
FY23
OAR
FY22/Ongoing
Priority 5: Identify and address
climate adaptation science needs.
-
4.1
Incorporate adaptation scenarios into
more climate change impact and risk
analyses, where appropriate.
Present research to internal and
external audiences through
briefings and webinars (i.e.,
give 2-3 briefings/webinars per
year)
OAP
FY22/Ongoing
Priority 5: Identify and address
climate adaptation science needs.
Additional
resources
needed to
implement
this sub-
action.
4.2
Promote research and collaboration
with the environmental research
community to improve the
understanding of the relationship
between climate change, indoor air
quality, and human health.
Facilitate 1-3 technical webinars
per year
ORIA
FY22/Ongoing
Priority 5: Identify and address
climate adaptation science needs.
Additional
resources
needed to
implement
this sub-
action.
4.3
Assess combined health effects of
extreme heat and air pollution.
Publish results in peer-reviewed
scientific journal, include in
health effects and benefits
assessment tools, conduct QA
and develop documentation
(i.e., develop 1 assessment in
OAQPS
FY22/FY24
Priority 5: Identify and address
climate adaptation science needs.
Yes
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Priority Action Statement
Performance Metric
Lead
Office
Start/End
Date
Agency-Wide Priority
Resources
FY22; prepare paper for
submission to journal in FY23)
4.4
Capital investment to build monitoring
resiliency into the existing CASTNET
infrastructure, enabling the Agency to
enhance climate monitoring capacity to
better assess public health (e.g.,
duration/intensity of pollen season) and
environmental impacts across the US.
Capital improvements
to modernize monitoring sites to
better meet the needs of air
quality managers, researchers,
and the public (i.e., identify and
develop a prioritized list of
CASTNET monitoring sites in
need
of infrastructure upgrades in
FY22; develop a network
modernization plan in FY23
OAP
FY22/Ongoing
Priority 5: Identify and address
climate adaptation science needs.
Resources
required to
implement
this sub-
action.
4.5
Collaborate with the environmental
research community and long-term
monitoring community on climate
change interactions with atmospheric
deposition of pollutants and impacts to
natural and managed ecosystems.
Meet twice yearly with the
scientific community at NADP
meetings (i.e., facilitate expert
participation to present latest
findings at the annual NADP
science symposium and the
Critical Loads Science
Committee (CLAD) meeting in
FY22 and repeated in FY23)
OAP
FY22/Ongoing
Priority 5: Identify and address
climate adaptation science needs.
Yes
5.0
Modelina and Analvsis: Advance
climate change science through
modeling and analysis activities.
Accomplish 50% of the sub-
actions below in FY22; 75% in
FY23
OAR
FY22/Ongoing
Priority 5: Identify and address
climate adaptation science needs.
-
5.1
Develop indoor air chemistry modeling
capabilities to inform research of the
sensitivity of indoor air chemistry to
changes in ambient temperature and
humidity, occupant behaviors, and
indoor air quality interventions.
Develop draft residential air
infiltration model
ORIA
FY23/Ongoing
Priority 5: Identify and address
climate adaptation science needs.
Additional
resources
needed to
implement
this sub-
action.
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Priority Action Statement
Performance Metric
Lead
Office
Start/End
Date
Agency-Wide Priority
Resources
5.2
Continue to utilize, refine, and further
develop a meteorological adjustment
procedure to assess the impact of long-
term changes in meteorological
conditions on trends in surface ozone
levels.
Publish results in a peer-
reviewed scientific journal (i.e.,
prepare 1 paper for submission
in FY23; publish paper in FY24)
OAQPS
FY22/Ongoing
Priority 5: Identify and address
climate adaptation science needs.
Additional
resources
needed to
implement
this sub-
action.
5.3
Update internal multi-pollutant
screening tool (NEXUS) with new
climate vulnerability analysis and risk
indicators (e.g., flood, fire, sea level
rise, heat, disease) to more fully inform
a holistic understanding of population
risk exposure. NEXUS is being
developed as an advanced multi-
pollutant internal screening tool to
identify geographic areas where health
risks related to ozone, PM2 5, and air
toxics overlap.
Develop and integrate new data
layers and tool capabilities
relevant to climate adaptation
(i.e., develop a list of new data
layers and tool capabilities in
FY22; integrate 1 new data
layer in FY23)
OAQPS
FY22/Ongoing
Priority 5: Identify and address
climate adaptation science needs.
Additional
resources
needed to
implement
this sub-
action.
5.4
Integrate climate change impacts into
power sector projections.
Publish results in peer-reviewed
journals (i.e., prepare papers for
submission in FY22; publish
paper and post results to Power
Sector Modeling web page in
FY23)
OAP
FY22/Ongoing
Priority 5: Identify and address
climate adaptation science needs.
Additional
resources
needed to
implement
this sub-
action.
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IV. Climate Adaptation Training Plan for Enhancing Staff
Knowledge
Introduction
Consistent with EPA's 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, Goal 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis, OAR
will provide training to enhance staff, management and partner awareness and knowledge of
relevant climate change impacts and climate adaptation approaches to build resilience. This will
ensure strong communication, coordination, and consistency of information shared across EPA
air program offices, regional offices, and stakeholders. Training for staff will be focused on both
raising awareness of the elements of climate change in general, as well as how climate change
is likely to impact our mission and specific topics critical to OAR's work.
Training Plan and Timeline
OAR will have two components to its training plan. The first component will be
administering a climate adaptation training produced by the Office of Policy. This training will
provide foundational information on climate adaptation. The second component will be developing
and administering an OAR-specific climate adaptation training. This training will provide
information on the climate impacts affecting mission topics essential to OAR's programs and
activities and what OAR is doing to integrate adaptation into its work. Topics included will reflect
priorities across OAR offices (e.g., indoor air, transportation system, urban heat islands, wildfires,
etc.) and how staff and regions can think about adaptation and air activities.
Topic
Format
Lead Office
Dates Available
Climate
Adaptation 101
Online Module
Office of Policy
Spring/Summer
2023
OAR Climate
Adaptation Overview
Presentation w/Q&A
Office of Air and
Radiation
February 2023
April 2023
June 2023
The OAR Climate Adaptation 101 training will be in a presentation format with a question-and-
answer portion. It will be offered on three different occasions in FY23. This will give OAR staff,
management, and partners ample opportunities to attend one of the trainings. The slides will be
made available and include links to relevant resources and materials on the topics discussed
and on OAR programs and activities. The training will also be recorded and made available on
EPA's website.
Measurements and Progress
Measurement and evaluation of progress is an important part of this training plan as it facilitates
better understanding of OAR staff's adaptation awareness and engagement. OAR will
evaluate staff's participation level in this training plan using the following metrics:
• Fundamentals of Climate Adaptation
o The # of staff that complete the online modules
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• OAR Climate Adaptation 101
o The # of attendees at each scheduled training
o The # of times the recorded training is accessed online
OAR will continue to encourage staff engagement and awareness of adaptation by updating its
training, as appropriate, to reflect the latest climate impacts and adaptation information.
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V. Climate Science Needs
Introduction
OAR has identified office-specific needs to assess climate impacts and build resilience. The Office
leveraged the science needs OAR offices identified for the ORD Climate Workshop in October
2021 as well as identified new and emerging areas of interest. The needs outlined below are
important areas for OAR moving forward especially in terms of the programmatic vulnerabilities
and priority actions identified in this Implementation Plan.
This information will be provided to ORD to help it identify and address science needs relevant to
multiple Programs and Regions.
Office of Atmospheric Programs
How does climate change impact air quality and health, especially on vulnerable
populations?
This includes research that leads to continued quantification of expected climate impacts on air
quality and human health. This research would be used to inform key climate policy reports and
support rationale for GHG regulations under the Clean Air Act. The form of the research could be
data, peer-reviewed reports and journal articles. In addition, the research could take the form of
an assessment (building on the 2009 Assessment of the Impacts of Global Change on Regional
U.S. Air Quality: A Synthesis of Climate Change Impacts on Ground-Level Ozone). This
assessment could include both updates on the impacts of climate change on ozone and a first
assessment of the impacts of climate change on particulates but could also extend to other air
quality impacts as appropriate (e.g., dust, aeroallergens). Such a product would also be useful for
information adaptation planning and air quality management within OAR. The research is needed
in the next 1-3 years.
Vulnerability Linkages: Wildfire, air quality, extremes, health
What are the benefits of climate mitigation? How are climate risks avoided or reduced as
a result of adaptation?
Research on climate change impacts across multiple future scenarios would inform quantification
and valuation of potential benefits of greenhouse gas mitigation, including how adaptation may
avoid or reduce climate risks. Translating the physical impacts of climate change into monetized
estimates of their effects on economic and human systems continues to be an important research
gap. In particular, there is a need for research to improve damage functions (for use in integrated
assessment models) for specific categories such as storms, flooding, agricultural impacts, and
heat. The research would contribute to improving our understanding and ability to model the
economic consequences of the impacts of climate change and inform broader policy analysis
frameworks (e.g., Framework for Evaluating Damages and Impacts (FrEDI), the social cost of
GHGs) for estimating benefits of GHG mitigation and adaptation policies.
Vulnerability Linkages: Wildfire, air quality, extremes, health
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How does climate change interact with sulfur, nitrogen, and mercury deposition, ozone
concentrations, and the global carbon cycle to impact to ecosystems?
This includes research that leads to improvements in total atmospheric deposition estimates and
the scientific understanding of air-surface exchange processes, nutrient cycling, assessment of
critical loads and impacts to ecosystems. Much of the research is underway and would be used
to improve total deposition data used in program evaluation and regulatory assessment, reduce
uncertainties in deposition budgets, and improve ecological and critical loads determination and
assessments. A priority research need is the continued development of low-cost deposition
measurements that can be used to support the Community Multiscale Air Quality Modeling
System (CMAQ) model development and evaluation and generate greater confidence in
measurement-model fusion data products. In addition, continued long-term flux measurements
and improved modeling of air surface exchange processes will lead to improved understanding of
how changes in air quality and climate impact air surface exchange processes and nutrient
cycling. Specific to critical loads, OAR supports improved critical load models, including efforts to
decrease uncertainty and account for the effect of climate change in the estimates. This will
improve understanding of how changes in air quality and climate change will impact ecosystems
and biota. Research is also needed to improve understanding of the complex interactions among
nitrogen deposition, climate change, and ecological impacts on biodiversity and carbon storage
in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Continued development of eutrophication and nitrogen
enrichment critical loads for various ecosystems is needed.
In 1-3 years, CMAQ deposition modeling should incorporate scientific data from field research
and experimentation to refine algorithms to meet gross deposition estimates (i.e., top down) and
process-level deposition estimates (i.e., bottom up). Improved access to critical load and
supporting data and the integration of critical loads across ecosystems and land units are also
needed in this time frame. Longer-term, in 3-8 years, OAR needs a 15-year time series of
modeled gridded deposition data over the conterminous U.S. using stable emissions, algorithms,
and meteorological inputs to allow evaluation of trends overtime. This dataset will be incorporated
into the TDep Measurement Model Fusion Product.
Vulnerability Linkages: ecosystem protection, air quality
What measurements can be made at existing monitoring sites to improve the GHG
inventory to help reduce uncertainties in the inventory or source contributions?
Ground-based monitors at select locations (source impacted and background sites) can be used
to verify remote sensing/satellite measurements. Improvements to the inventory and reduced
uncertainty in the magnitude of GHG emissions would be used for regulatory development and
longer-term climate assessments. This research would also be used to inform key climate policy
reports and support rationale for GHG regulations under the Clean Air Act. Research would focus
on lower cost, network-ready monitors that can help address this climate vulnerability over the
next 3-5 years.
Vulnerability Linkages: air quality, human health
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Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards
As climate change increases wildfire season length and severity, what actions can
populations take to minimize both short-term and long-term health risks of wildfire smoke?
Wildfire smoke is increasingly affecting the American population due to on-going climate change
and other factors. The science suggests that this increasing trend in smoke impacts across the
United States will continue as climate change continues. The increasing prevalence of smoke
poses significant health risks to the U.S. population, although these risks can be mitigated by
adaptation actions at the community and individual levels. There are several research questions
embedded in the larger issue of how to most effectively minimize the health risks of wildfire smoke.
Do the health effects from exposure to wildfire smoke differ from traditional air pollution events?
What are the long-term health effects of exposures to repeated fire/smoke events (e.g., over
multiple seasons)? Are there differential health impacts of smoke depending on the nature of the
fire itself? What should be the balance between managing healthy outdoor activities such as
hiking or running while accounting for periodic smoke impacts. Can we quantify the effectiveness
of specific actions to reduce exposures to wildfire smoke during smoke events? This research is
already underway, and its continuation will be used for subsequent improvements in EPA public
communication about health-related smoke adaptation measures (including in Wildfire Smoke: A
Guide for Public Health Officials).
Vulnerability Linkages: Wildfires, PM/Wildfires, Tropospheric Ozone, Indoor Air
What are the air quality, health, and climate impacts from residential wood combustion
(RWC)?
As the U.S. may be more vulnerable to extreme cold weather events, and prolonged winters which
can cause infrastructure issues (e.g., power outages), there may be increased use of wood for
heating, resulting in poorer air quality both outdoors and indoors, as well as leading to emissions
that would exacerbate the extreme events. These impacts may particularly influence rural and
tribal areas raising environmental justice concerns. Residential wood combustion emits PM,
hazardous air pollutants (e.g., benzene, formaldehyde) and other pollutants that contribute to
nonattainment and poor indoor air quality. This sector also emits short lived climate forcing
pollutants such as methane, black and brown carbon. In addition, there have been some studies
indicating the potential for RWC to contribute to secondary organic aerosols (SOA). In-situ test
methods and data from these test methods are needed to characterize their emissions across
multiple pollutants (including hazardous air pollutants that have risk associated with them) and to
quantify the impacts of various appliances, wood species and moisture and operating parameters
on emissions to support regulatory and voluntary program development. These data also need to
be correlated with compliance test methods. Furthermore, these data need to be used in
photochemical and source apportionment modeling along with enhanced ambient data such as
will be available from the Atmospheric Science and Chemistry mEasurement NeTwork (ASCENT)
to ascertain the impacts of RWC emissions on PM, secondary organic aerosols and other
pollutants in ambient air. The research is needed immediately.
Vulnerability Linkages: Climate change may increase the frequency and severity of wildfires and
extreme weather events and may affect the Agency's capacity to reliably monitor, assess, and
implement certain Agency programs, and climate change may worsen the quality of indoor air.
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How can we improve PM2.5 speciation profiles in SPECIATE, with a focus on organic and
elemental carbon (OC/EC)?
Discordance between model output of OC and EC and ambient measurements could mean
speciation profiles and OC and EC fractions need updating for sectors in question. Resolving this
discordance will require testing to show how BC fractions compare with EC fractions for sources
where there are expected to be differences (diesels, biomass burning). Research on this issue is
needed both in the short- and longer-term time frame, and there are a number of related sub-
questions that require further investigation to improve these speciation profiles. For example:
• How well do current speciated inventories generate model results that reflect observations?
• How do ambient measurements of OC and EC compare with model predicted values of
OC and EC?
• What source profiles most need improvement for current inventories to better reflect
observations?
• What is the magnitude of carbon fractions of PM2.5 in present observations, and what is the
estimated magnitude of carbon fractions of PM2.5 in future ambient concentrations?
• How well can carbon fractions of PM2.5 be controlled through policies to control PM?
• Are these reductions reflected in the speciated OC/EC profiles in SPECIATE? If not, these
profiles should be evaluated and updated as needed.
Vulnerability Linkages: Air Quality, Fine Particulate Matter
Office of Transportation and Air Quality
What are the impacts of climate change on a changing transportation system and what are
the opportunities for building resilience?
Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) are considered to be an important component of necessary
climate change mitigation efforts in the transportation sector. As ZEVs become more prevalent,
an emerging research need is to better understand the benefits and vulnerabilities of ZEVs and
their associated infrastructure in the face of climate impacts such as extreme weather events.
This includes light duty vehicles, but also extends to other transportation subsectors, including
medium duty/heavy duty trucks and buses, and nonroad applications including at marine ports.
For example:
• ZEVs will increase the demand on the electrical grid. At the same time, extreme weather
and temperature events can impact grid stability and lead to electrical and infrastructure
failure. Battery electric vehicles have potential climate adaptation co-benefits because their
batteries store electricity when not in service, and can act as distributed power storage -
i.e., as part of the grid itself. With vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technologies, electricity can flow
back to the grid and buffer differences in supply and demand. Similarly, vehicle-to-building
(V2B) technologies could serve as a backup source of energy for other purposes, such as
residential cooling in a heat wave. More research is needed on the potential of V2GA/2B
technologies to contribute to grid stability and resilience in the face of climate change.
• There is particular interest in the benefits and impacts of the transition to ZEVs and build
out of charging infrastructure in communities that are historically underserved, and that
experience disproportionate impacts from transportation and climate change.
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This research could be used to strengthen EPA assistance and partnerships programs, improve
guidance and information provided to stakeholders, and could inform programmatic analysis, and
climate and energy models. The form of research needed is modeling and analysis. This research
is needed in the next 1 -3 years.
Vulnerability Linkages: Increased frequency, and severity of extreme weather events.
Office of Radiation and Indoor Air
How can indoor air pollution exposures and their attributable health burdens be reduced
with indoor air quality interventions?
Climate change may worsen existing indoor environmental problems and indoor air quality (IAQ),
and it may also introduce new problems as the frequency or severity of adverse outdoor conditions
change. This includes potential increases in indoor concentrations and exposure to particulate
matter (PM). Additionally, climate-driven increases in the occurrence and severity of extreme
precipitation, hurricanes, and storms, as well as their related flooding, may contribute to increases
in building damage, deterioration, and dampness, which may affect existing IAQ interventions in
buildings, such as weatherization and radon mitigation systems, as well as increase the
prevalence of mold indoors. Understanding how to reduce indoor air pollution exposures and
taking action to reduce those exposures will reduce public health burdens attributable to indoor
contaminants, including those driven by climate change. Research needs include:
Exposure Mitigation
• Reducing exposure to radon - Evaluate alternatives to sub-slab depressurization radon
mitigation techniques that can reduce residential radon risks reliably for low income and tribal
communities. Climate change may induce shifts in indoor radon concentrations in ways that
are difficult to predict, and efforts to increase energy efficiency may inadvertently lead to
increased radon exposures.
• Mitigation of exposure disparities from indoor pollutants particularly Indoor PM - Investigate
how human PM exposure disparities are related to indoor conditions and indoor activities (e.g.,
cooking, cleaning) and how to mitigate them. Climate mitigation strategies have the potential
to modify these exposures. For example, tightening building envelopes could lead to increases
in some exposures and reductions in other exposures.
Health Effects and Exposure
• Health benefits of reducing indoor exposure to PM2.5 with filtration/air cleaners - Evaluate
health benefits of using HVAC filtration/ air cleaners to reduce indoor exposures to PM2.5,
including PM from wildfires (e.g., cardiovascular, respiratory, maternal & birth outcomes,
neurological) with a focus on reducing exposure disparities. Wildfires and exposure to PM
indoors are expected to increase with climate change.
Vulnerability Linkages: Climate Change and Indoor Air Quality
How can low-cost sensors guide consumer indoor air quality action?
Climate change can contribute to increases in indoor air pollution by reducing outdoor air
infiltration rates into buildings, thus reducing the entry of outdoor air into buildings This can result
in increases in levels of indoor generated pollutants (since they are not diluted with outdoor air).
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Low-cost air sensor technologies can provide consumers with information on levels of air
pollutants indoors. More frequent use of low-cost monitoring indoors is being used during and
after some climate driven events such as wildfires to assess the air inside and outside of buildings;
however, there are many different devices, with varying accuracy and reliability. More information
is needed on how these technologies can aid building occupants and communities to monitor and
mitigate indoor air exposures and improve their ability to recognize and effectively respond to
worsening conditions indoors resulting from wildfires and other climate related events. Research
needs include:
• Evaluate new lower cost air sensors for consumer use indoors to help guide use - Including
short and long-term use, detection of multiple indoor contaminants and biological
contaminants, particularly in residential environments.
• Inform decision making during wildfire smoke events - Evaluate sensors for use indoors and
outdoors for decision making during wildfire smoke events in buildings such as schools,
offices, gyms, and other (semi-) public spaces.
Vulnerability Linkages: Climate Change and Indoor Air Quality
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